Adjustable railroad crossing plates



May 16, 1 1 H. B. VOORHEES ADJUSTABLE RAILROAD CROSSING PLATES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1960 JNVENTOR. flea/am 15f Vow/mes BY A TTOAA/EYS y 1961 H. B. VOORHEES 2,984,417

ADJUSTABLE RAILROAD CROSSING PLATES Filed Dec. 6, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ham/d5 Vaoflfiees BY WW2 Mm ATTORNEYS 2,981,417 Fatented May 16, I961 United States Patent cc The present invention relates to new and novel adjustable railroad crossing plates, and more particularly to railroad crossing plates which may be more or less universally adjustable and which can be readily adjusted from time to time as necessary. V

- Whilethe adjustable plate construction of the present invention may be utilized in various applications wherever it is desired to adjust the slope of the flat plate as desired, the invention is particularly adapted for utilization with railway crossings wherein it is desired to fill inthe spaces between the tracks and to provide a sort of a ramp means leading from the tracks to the roadwayat either side of the tracks.

It is, of course, necessary to provide some sort of a means at the intersection of arailway track with a roadway in order that an automobile passing from one side of the roadway to the other will have a relatively smooth crossing. This can most successfully be accomplished by providing universally adjustable plates formed of steel or the like whichcan be adjusted both as to elevation and inclination so as to'provide the desired finished configuration of the crossing l In order to accomplish the desired end results, means must he provided whereby relatively heavy steelplates or the like can be manually universally adjusted or in other words it must be possible to raise or lower the various peripheral portions thereof in order toadjust the plate exactly to the terrain and roadway andtrack positions as may occur. This is accomplished by supporting the plates at spaced points thereof such that -it ispossible to obtain the desired degree of adjustment, thesepoints of support being preferably adjacent the outer corner portions of the plate. Of course, any number of plates may be employed in adjacent relationship to one another to form the desired surface. In addition, it is often desirable and necessary to readjust the plates from time to time due to varying conditions. .Such adjustments'should be possible without the necessity of removing the heavy plates from the adjustable support means therefor; Accordingly, the present invention employs a unique .arrangement whereby the movable adjusting means thereof is readily, accessible from the upper side of the plate supported thereon, and accordingly, the adjustment means may be operated without the necessity of removing the plates therefrom at any time. ,In addition, it is quite possible that due to the heavy, traflic occurring over and adjacent to the plates with the attendant vibrations and ing formed 1 justing means associated therewithj in Fig. 5; and

, j j 2 l ,7 is provided which positively prevents separation of the adjusting means fiomthe plate means, thereby preventing the plate from being lifted off of the adjustable support means withoutfirst utilizing a tool for releasing the mov able adjusting means from the associated base means, the base means of course being securely anchored in position on the roadbed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable railroad crossing plate construction including adjusting means supporting each plate at a. plurality ofpoints to permit more or less universal adjustment of the plate at a crossing or the like. i

Another object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable railroad crossing plate construction wherein the position of the plate may be adjusted while the plates aredisposed in operative supported position on the associated adjusting means. a 1

A further object of the invention is to provide anadjustable railroad crossing plate construction including means for locking the plate and its associated adjusting means in operative position. t Still another object of the invention is to provide in an' adjustable'railroad crossing plate construction means to prevent-separation of the plate from its associated adjusting m eans while at the same time permitting removal of the plate and adjusting means from the shaft base means; 1 Other objects and many attendant advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when'con-' sidered in connection with the specification andjaccor'n'f panying drawings, wherein: i 5

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a railroad crossat the intersection of a railroad track and a roadway; 1 I

Fig. 2a is a perspective view of one form of plate means according to thepresent invention; i i

Fig. 2b is a perspective yiewofa modified form of plate configuration; I

Fig. 2c is a perspective-view of a still further modified form of platemeans;

Fig. 3 is a sectional viewpartially broken awayillustrating a portion of the plate means along with the ad- Fig. 4 is a top view ofthe construction shown in Fig. 3';- FigJ 5 is a' sectional view broken away illustrating a modified form ofthe apparatus; t

Fig. 6is a top view of the modified structure shown:

Fig. 7 is a sectional view broken away of a further modified form of the invention. t Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a railroad crossing is illustrated wherein a railroad track indicated generally by reference numeral 10 includes a pair of spaced rails 11 and 12 which are supported upon conventional ties 13 in a. well-known manner. A roadway isillustrated generally by reference numeral 15, and it Will be seen that this roadway intersects the railroad track 1 substantially normally thereto as is the conventional arjarring which the construction encounters, the adjusting means may be moved from the desired adjusted position. In order to preventsuch undesired movement of the adjusting means away from the desired position, a locking means is provided in the form of a plug which effectively prevents relative rotation between the movable adjusting means and the plate means. Since the plate means is supported by aplurality of spaced adjusting means, this positively ensures thatthe plate will not be moved from its desired adjusted position during operation.

In a further modified form of the invention, a means crossing.

rangement, a i In a typical example, the railroad track will be slightly elevated with respect to the roadway and it is desirable to provide some means for providing a ramp from opposite sides ofthe roadway up toapproximately the top level of the rails 11 and 12,and further toprovide means substantially spanning the space'between the rails so tha-tthe wheels of a land vehicle maymove smoothly: over the railroad tracks as the vehicle traverses the .Ac cordingto the present invention, a plurality of ad justable plates 20- are: provided for the desired purpose, these platesbeingof heavy-duty construction and' being formed of .steelor the like. These plates .of courseniay;

a; be arranged in any, desired. relationshipwith respecttor Qneanotherand as seen in Fig. 1, they are substantially rectangular in configuration, with the longitudinal dimension thereof extending substantially parallel with the rails 11 'and 12. The plates may be disposedrelatively'closely adjacent to one another as i lust a e in gs tha there :will b no large spa es etwe nth plate Re erring nowrto .F g- 2 ne f t e p t s u t ated infig. 1. is ;shW. l g at r d tai this p ate 0 bein subst nt al y rectangular inc' nfigu -mm Thi type 20f plate is adapted to be supported preferably adjacent the fourcorners thereof, and the supporting adjusting means hereinafter more fully described will be disposed directly below the holes 21 formed adjacent the corners of the plate as will hereinafter appear.

Referring now to Fig. 2b,, a'plate 22 of modified configuration is illustrated, this plate being triangular in configuration. -It will be understood that in some railroad crossings, a railroad switching section may be present which will necessitate the provision of odd-shapedplates. In any event, the plates will be so configured as to =fit between the various rails on the crossing. When a triangular-shaped plate such as 22 is employed, it is preferably supported ,adjacentthe three corners thereof, and the adjusting supporting means will be disposed directly below the 11016523 formed therethrough.

;Fig. 20 illustrates :a plate 24 of still furthermodified' form, this plate 24 being similar in configuration to plate 22 with the exception that the apex portion of the triangle has been cut off to thereby form a trapezoidal configuration. Here again, the plate 24 is preferably supported adjacent the corners thereof and the supporting adjusting means may be disposed directly below the holes 25 formed in the plate. p Referringznow to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, a first modification of the invention is illustratedgwherein; forexample a plate 20 as shown in Fig. 2a is illustrated, it:

beingnnderstood that the construction is equally applicable to the remaining plates as shown in Figs. 2b and 2c and for that matter to any similar plate means.,

As seen particularly in Fig. 3, the hole 21 includes an enlarged portion .21 at the upper portion of the hole and a reduced portion 21" at the lower portion of the hole thereby defining an annular shoulder 30' therebetween.

It is apparent that hole, 21 in plate 20 opens through the upper surface 31 of plate 20. An opposite under surface 32 is provided which is substantially parallel .to upper surface 31 and a recess 33 is provided on the under surface :32. Recess 133 includes. a portion 34 which is arcuate in shape and actually defines an annular portion which is part of a spherical surface. It willbe noted that the lower portion 21" of the ,hole through plate 20 opens into the central. portion of the surface 34 of the recess in the under surface of the plate.

,Arsuitable' support means 40 may assume the form of a body of cement or the like within which are embedded a-plurality of anchor bolts 41. The anchor bolts in- 1 plate means.

4 The adjusting means is indicated generally by reference numeral 55, the adjusting means including a threaded shank portion 56 which is received within the threaded hole 48 in the base means. Adjusting means 55 also includes an enlarged head 57 having an upper surface 58 which defines a portion of a spherical surface and is complementary to the stu'face 34 of the recess formed in the It is evident that the intercooperation between surfaces 58 and 34 permits the plate means to be adjusted angularly with respect to the head 57 and yet at the same time ensures that the plate means will be firmly supported by the adjusting means at all times.

The head means also includes tool-receiving means in the form of an extension 60 which extends upwardly from the central portion of the head and defines a hexagonal outer surface for receiving a socket wrench or the like. It will be noted that extension 60 is of less dimension than a portion 21 of the hole through the plate such that a socket at the end of a socket wrench can be; inserted over the extension 60 to thereby turn the adjusting mea ns 5'5. It is evident that with this construction,

' the tool may be inserted from the upper surface of the clude upper portions 42 which are threaded for attach ing the base means of the device securely in position.

:Thepbase means 45 is formed of a suitable heavy-duty material such as steel or the like, and comprises a circular lower portion 46 and an upstanding boss 47 formed integral with the central portion of the lower portion 46. 1 A threaded hole 48 is provided in the central portion of bossl-47. and extends completely through the base means for reception of the adjusting means hereinafter described.

Theiower portion 46 of the base means includes four equally angularlyspaced openings 50 through which the upper ends of the anchor bolts 41 extend, the threadedportions 42 of the anchor bolts extending a substantial.

distanceabove the lower portion 46 of the base means.

tive positionas shown particularly in Fig.3.

plate means and accordingly, all adjustments which are required will beca-rried out with plateZOin place on the adjusting means. a a

In order to protect the adjusting means and to -eliminate tampering therewith to a certain degree, a cover plate 61 is provided which is of substantially disc-like configuration. and fits snugly within the enlarged portion 21' of hole 21 and, of course, is seated on the shoulder 30 defined by the hole. vided through the cover plate to facilitate withdrawal of the .cover plate from the protecting position shown in Fig. 3.

lt isevident that with the construction shown inFig. 3, the elevation of the adjusting means can be readily adjusted from the upper surface of the plate 20, thereby; enablingready adjustment of the vertical height of this portion of the plate 20. At the same time, similar adjust ments may be made at other portions of the plate and the spherical surfaces 34 and 58 permit tilting movement of the plate'with respect to the various adjusting means such that the plate is firmly supported at each of the adjustment points. 7

Referring now to Fig. 5, a modified form'oftheinvention is illustrated wherein a plate includes an upper surface 71 and an under surface 72, the undersurface 72 having a recess 73 formed therein, this recess, including a substantially annular surface 74defininga portion of a spherical surface.

A hole '75 is formed in the upper surface 71 of the plate, and'includes an upper portion 75' and a lower portion 75" of reduced dimension, the lower portion 75 being in communication with the central portion of recess 73in the under surface of the plate.

An annular shoulder 76 is defined between the upper portion 75 of the hole and the lower surface 75" of the hole.

In this modification, the adjusting means is indicated generally by reference numeral 80 and includes a shank portion 81 which is provided with screw threads on the lower portion thereof (not shown) for the purpose of adjusting the elevation of the adjusting means as inthe previous modification. Adjusting-means 80 also includes an enlarged head portion 82 having an upper suface 83 which defines a portion of a spherical surface and which A recess '85 is' provided in the central-portion of -s'urface 83 of the enlarged head 82, the recess 85 extending.

longitudinally of the adjusting means 80. Recess 85 may be of substantially hexagonal cross-sectiom'but in any event will be non-circular such thatit maycooperate with another member to preventrel'ative rotation there-- between. tkecess 85 is adapted to perform a dual fun'c- A central opening 62 is protion in this modification, and firstly may receive a correspondingly shaped end wrench which fits snugly within the recess and which may be inserted through thehole formed in the plate to thereby adjust the adjusting means from the upper surface of the plate. Idaddition, recess 85 is adapted to receive a portion of a locking means which prevents relative rotation of the adjusting means with respect to the plate as hereinafter described. g A locking means as seen in Fig. 5 is indicated by reference numeral 90 and comprises a plug having an upper portion 91 and a lower portion 92 of reduced dimension. Upper portion 91 of the locking means is non-circular and is illustrated as being four-sided. The upper portion 75' of the hole 75 formed in the plate is also four-sided and adapted to snugly receive the upper portion 91 of the locking means to thereby prevent relative rotation be-. tween the locking means and the plate. It will be noted that the under surface of the enlarged upper portion 91 of the locking plug means rests upon the annular shoulder 76formed in hole 75. Thelower portion 92 of the locking plug means is also non-circular, and for example, may be hexagonal in cross-section as shown. This hexagonally-shaped portion is snugly received with the correspondingly shaped recess 85 in the head of the adjusting means.

I Itis accordingly evident that when the locking plug 90 is in operative position as shown in Fig. 5, it will positively prevent rotation of the adjusting means 80 with respect to the plate. This is important since it prevents the adjusting means from rotating and changing its elevation with respect to the base means also. Accordingly, once the various adjustment means associated with the plate 70 are in the proper adjusted positions, the locking plug means 90 may be inserted in operative position thereby ensuring that the movable adjusting elements can not. change their adjustment during operation regardless of the vibrations or shock to which the apparatus is subjected. r

The upperportion 91 of the locking plug means has a central recess 95 opening through the upper surface of thelockingplug, this recess 95 being adapted to receive thetapered end of a tool such that the tapered end can be wedged within the recess to facilitate removal of the locking plug from its operative position. b It is. evident that after the locking plug has been removed, an end wrench may be inserted within the recess 85 in the head of the adjusting means for adjusting it as desired. It will be apparent that the adjusting means 80 must be positioned such that the portions 91 and 92 are both adapted to register with the portion 75' of hole 75 and the recess 85 in the head of the adjusting means respectively. There are a large number of relative positions of the two elements which .will satisfy this requirement, and. it is evident that proper registry can be obtained at many different positions.

Referring now to Fig. 7, a further modification of the invention is illustrated, and in this case, a plate 100 is provided with a recess 101 in theunder surface thereof, this recess .being defined partially within a depending cylindrical bossportion 102 of the plate.

The upper surface portion 103 of recess 101 forms a part ofra spherical surface for a purpose similar to that previously described.

An opening 105 is provided through the upper surface of the plate and includes an upper portion 105' and a lower portion 105' of reduced dimension.

An adjusting means 110 is provided and includes a threaded shank 111 adapted to be fitted within a correspondinglythreaded hole in a base means. Adjusting means 110 also includes an enlarged head 112 having an upper surface 113 which forms a portion of a spherical surface andis complementary to surface 103 of the recess such that the plate can freely pivot about the head of the adjusting means.

A recess 115 is formed in the enlarged head 112 and opens at the central upper portion thereof, recess 115 being non-circular and shown as hexagonal in cross-section. A locking plug means includes an upper portion 121 and a lower portion .122. i As in the previously discussed modification, the upper portion 121 is non-circular and may beisquare for example and is adapted to fit snugly within the correspondingly square-shaped upper portion 105 of the hole in the plate.

Locking means 120 also includes an intermediate pore tion 125 which is more or less snugly received within the portion 105 of the hole, these portions being shown- -as substantially cylindrical.

The lower portion 122 of the locking means is non.- circular and may also be hexagonal in dross-section and is adapted tofit snugly within thecorresponding recess formed in the head of the adjusting means. It is evident that the locking means 120 serves to. prevent relative rotation between the adjusting means and associated plate.

As in the previous example, a recess 126 is formed in the upper portion 121 of the locking means and opens through the upper surface thereof for receiving a tapered end of a tool for assisting in removal of the locking means from operative position.

Just below the #enlarged head portion .112 of the ad-' justing means, a portion 130 is provided which includes an outer surface 131 forming a portion of a spherical surface. p 1

A ring means 135 of substantially annular configuration is fitted within the lower portion of the recess 101 in theplate, and may be suitably aflixed thereto as by Welding as indicated by reference numeral 136. Ring means 135 also includes an annular surface 138 which forms a portion of a spherical surface and which is com-;

p-lementary to the outer end 1'31 formed on portion. 130 of the adjusting means.

The surface 113 formed on the upper part of the enlarged head of the adjusting means and the surface 131 formed on portion 130 of the adjusting means define portions of two spherical surfaces, each of which has "a common center lying at the point indicated by letter C. By so forming the surfaces about a common center, unrestricted tilting movement of the plate with respect to the adjusting means is obtained.

It is evident that the modification shown in Fig. 7 will operate in substantially the same manner as that shown in r Fig. 5 with the exception that the ring means 135 positively prevents separation of the plate from the adjusting means which, of course, can occur in the modification shown either in Fig. 3 or Fig. 5.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided thereby permitting substantially universal adjustment of the plate as employed at railroadcrossings and the like.

In each of the modifications of the invention, the adjusting means can be adjusted while the plate is in operative position by the provision of holes formed through the plates and also by the provision of tool-receiving means on the heads of the adjusting means either in the form of an extension or a recess. Means is also provided in certain of the modifications for positively locking the adjusting means in position and preventing relative rotation between the adjusting means and the plate. In the modification shown in Fig. 7, means is further provided for positively preventing separation of the plate means from the adjusting means.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall Within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative 7 equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by these cla m 'l aim .1. In an adjustable railroad crossing plate construction, a plate means including an upper surface and an under surface, a recess formed in said under surface, a hole formed in said upper surface and being in communication with said recess, a base means, and a movable adjustingmeans adjustably mounted in said base means, said movable adjusting means including a head portion received within said recess in said plate means for supporting said plate means on said adjusting means, said head means including tool-receiving means whereby a tool can beinserted through the hole in said plate means for adjustment of the movable adjusting means while the plate. is supported on the movable adjusting means.

2, In an adjustable railroad crossing plate construction, a plate means having an upper surface and an under surface, said under surface having a recess formed therein, a portion of said'recess defining a portion of a cylindrical surface; said upper surface having a hole formed therein and being in communication with said recess, a base means having a threaded hole formed therein, and a movable adjusting means including a shank portion and a head portion, said shank portion being threaded for reception in said threaded hole in the base means, said head portion being received Within said' recess and including a portion defining a portion of a spherical surface and beingcomplementary to the spherical surface portion of the recess, said head including tool-receiving means on the outer portion thereof for receiving a tool extending through the hole in said plate means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said toolreceiving means comprises a non-cylindrical extension extending outwardly of the head and of less dimension than said hole whereby a tool may be extended through the hole and around said extension.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said toolreceiving mean-s comprises a non-cylindrical hole formed in said head and opening outwardly of said head for receiving a tool therein and also being adapted to receive a locking plug means therein.

5. In an adjustable-railroad crossing plate construction, a plate means having an upper surface and an under surface, a recess formed in said under surface and including a portion defining a portion of a spherical surface, said plate means having a hole formed therethrough opening through said upper surface and being in communication with said recess and of less dimension than said recess, 7

a base means, means for firmly anchoring said base means in operative position, said base-means having a threaded hole formed therein, movable adjusting means including a threaded shank portion and an enlarged head portion, said. threaded shank portion being threaded within said threaded hole, whereby relative rotation of said adjusting meansproduces axial movement of said adjusting means, said enlarged head portion including a portion defining a portion .of a spherical surface and being complementary to the portion of the recess defining a portion of a spherical surface whereby said plate means may freely pivot about said enlarged head portion, said enlarged head portion including tool-receiving mean accessible through the hole in said plate means for rotating said movable adjusting means with respect to said base means while the plate means is supported on said enlarged head portion of the adjusting means. 1

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said toolreceiving means comprises an extension extending longitudinally of said adjusting. means from the enlarged head, thereof and being of non-cylindrical configuration, the extension being disposed Wi hin said hole and of less dimens'ion than said hole for receiving a tool extending through saidliole and in surrounding relationship to the xtension.

7. Apparatusas defined in claim 6, wherein said plate means defines a shoulder about the upper portion of said hole, and'a cover plate disposed in overlying relationship to said hole and supported on said shoulder.

8. In an adjustable railroad crossing plate construction, a plate means having an upper surface and anundersurface, .arecess formed in said under surface and including a portion .defining a portion of a spherical surface, said plate means having a hole formed therethrough opening through said upper surface and being in communication with said recess and of less dimension than said recess, a base means, means for firmly anchoring said base means in operative position, said base means having a threaded hole formed therein, movable adjusting means including a threaded shank portion and an enlarged head portion, said threaded shank portion being threaded within said threaded hole, whereby relative rotation of said adjusting means produces axial movement of said adjusting means, said enlarged head portion including a portion defining a portion of a spherical surface and being complementary to the portion of the recess defining a portion of a spherical surface whereby said plate means may freely pivot about said enlarged head portion, said enlarged head portion including tool-receiving means accessible through the hole in said plate means for rotating said movable adjusting means with respect to said base means while the plate means is supported on said enlarged head portion of the adjusting means, said tool-receiving means comprising a non-cylindrical recess formed in said enlarged head'and opening toward said hole for receiving a complementally shaped tool therein.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said 'hole' formed in said plate means is of non-cylindrical configuration, and a locking plug means including a lower portion and'an upper portion, said lower portion being of complementary configuration to and snugly receivable Within the tool-receiving recess of said adjusting means, and the upper portion of said locking plug means being of complementary shape toand snugly received Within the hole formed in said plate means such that when the lock ing plug means is disposed in operative position with the lower portion disposed within the recess in the head portion of the adjusting means and with the upper portion thereof received within the hole of the plate means, the

locking plug means positively prevents relative rotation between the adjusting means and plate means.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the upper portion of said locking plug means has a hole formed therein and facing toward the outer end thereof for re-' ceiving a member to facilitate removal of the locking plug from its operative locking position.

11. In an adjustable railroad crossing plate construction, a plate means having an upper surface and an under surface, a recess formed in said under surface and including a portion defining a portion of a spherical surface,

said plate means having a hole formed therethrough opening through said upper surface and being in communication with said recess and of less dimension than said recess, a base means, means for firmly anchoring said base means in operative position, said base means having a threaded hole formed therein, movable adjusting means including a threaded shank portion and an enlarged head portion, said-threaded shank portion being threaded Within said threaded hole, whereby relative rotation of said adjusting means produces axial movement of said adjusting means, said enlarged head portion including a portion de fining a portion of ,a spherical surface and being complementary to the portion of the recess defining a portion of a spherical surface whereby said plate means may freely pivot about said enlarged head portion, said enlarged head portion including tool-receiving means accessible through the hole in said plate means for rotating said movable adjusting means with respect to said base means while the plate means is supported on said enlarged head portion of the adjusting means, said enlarged head portion also including a second portion defining a portion of a 2,984,417 1o spherical surface and being oppositely disposed to said adjusting means from the plate means is positively prefirst-mentioned spherical portion thereof, and ring means vented. fixed to said plate means and disposed in surrounding relationship to the lower part of said enlarged head por- References Cited in me file of this Pawnt tion, said ring means including an annular bearing sur- 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS face forming a portion of a spherical surface and being complementary to said second portion of the enlarged 2,535,956 Roggensack Dec. 26, 1950 head portion and receiving said second portion of the 2,665,104 Myers Jan. 5, 1954 enlarged head portion thereon whereby separation of the 

